Causes and Risk Factors of Cervical Cancer
The causes and risk factors of cervical cancer include:
- Infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted disease.
- Tobacco smoking increases the risk of HPV infection. Presence around someone who smoke also increases the risk.1
- Having an impaired immune system caused due to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) leads to increased risk of HPV infection.
- Using birth control pills for several years.2
- Having multiple sexual partners.
- Infection with genital herpes.
- Women who take drugs like diethylstilbestrol during pregnancy to prevent miscarriage.
- The risk increases in women who are above 65 years of age.
Next page: Diagnosis of cervical cancer
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: April 22, 2012